Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-06
LITTLE MAC AND HIS AeNesALs.
Gen. McCIeIisn's Opinion OF His 'ieutsn-
ants az Expressed In His Book.

ants az Expressed In His Book.
Phil Kearney received brigade; but
though he stood high as a remarkably
daring man and good cavalry captain in
the Mexican war, had not sufficient con
fidence in his brains to give him one of
the first divisions | have since some
times thought that I would have done
well had | given him command of the
cavalry
Sumner was in California when | as
suIneh command; he returned not long
before we took the field and at once re-
ceiVeh a division. He was an old and
tried officer perfectly honest, as bray" a
man aS cculd be- conscientious and lahori-
Gus In MANY respects he was model
soldier He was man for whom had
very high regard. and for his memory
have the greatest respect. He WAS very
valuable man. and his soldierly example
was of the highest value in a new army.
4 nation is fortunate that possesses many
such soldiers as was Edwin V. Sumner.
Franklin was one of the hest officers !
had: very powerful He was man not
only Of excellent Judgment, hut of re-
markablv high order of intellectual
ability. He was often badly treated, and
seldom received the credit he deserved.
His moral character was of the highest,
and he was in all respects an admirable
corps commander; more than that, he
would have commanded an army well.
The only reason why did not send him
to relieve sherman instead Of Buell. WAS
that | could not spare such 'nau from
the Army of the Potomac.
Fitz John Porter was on duty with Gen.
Patterson as sdjutant general when as
sumed command. As soon as possible
had him made brigader general. and gave
him the command vacated by w. I. Sher-
man. Take him for all in all, he was
probably the hest general officer | had
under me He had excellent ability,
sound Judgment and all the instincts of
a soldier He was perfectly familiar with
all the details of his duty, an excellent
organizer and administrative officer, and
one of the most conscientious and lahuri-
Gus men ever knew. | never found 1t
necessary to do more than give him gen
eral instructions. for it was certain that
all details would be cared for and nothing
neglected | always kneC that an order
given to him would be fIlly carried ont
were il morally and phi, sically possible
He was one Of the coolest and most i'm
perturbablc men in danger | ever knew
like all his race. ! shall have occasion
to revert TO him hereafter, and will now
only add that he was treated with the
grossest injustice, chiefly, fear, because
of his devotion TO me.
To Sedgwick | gave a brigade. Not
knowing him well did not Al first appre-
ciate his high qualities, but soon discov-
cred them and gave him the first vacant
diyision-thRt originally commanded by
Stone. He was one Of the best and most
modest soldiers we had. Possessing ey
cellent ability and Judgment, the highest
bravery. great skill in handling troops,
wonderful powers in instructing aud dis
ciplining men as well as in gaining their
love. respect and confidence. he was with
al so modest and unobtrusive that il was
necessary TO he thrown closely in contact
with him 10 appreciate him. He was
thoroughly unselfish. honest and true as
steel. His conduct during the battle OF
Charlottesville in stormirg the works on
Marie's Heights, and afterward holding
his own against tremendous odds, was
remark HE and most brilliant feat of
arms.
Hancock received q brigade early in the
formation of the Army Of the Potomac.
He was a man of the most chivalrous
courage and Of a superb presence, especi-
ally in action: he had q wonderfully
quick and correct eye for ground and for
handling troops; his Judgment WAS good,
and 1t would he difficult to find better
corps commander.
John Reynolds was commandant OF the
corps of cadets when the war broke out.
He gained high reputation in the MeXi-
can war rs an officer OF light artillery, and
was among the first whom caused 10 I've
appointed brigadier general. He was
splendid soldier and performed admirably
every dnty assigned to him. Constantly
improving he was, when killed at Gettys-
burg with Meade and Sedgwick. the hest
officer then with the Army of the Potomac.
He was remarkably brave and intelligent,
an honest. true gentleman.
Meade was also one of my early ap-
pointmeHts as brigadier general. He
was an excellent officer; cool brave and
Intelligent; he always did his duty admir-
ably and was an honest man. As COM
Laander of an army he was far superior 20
either Hooker or Burnside. George
3. McClellan's Book.